Controversial Kiwi Sione Faumuina finally intends making a name for himself in Super League this season.

And nervous Castleford Tigers are keeping their fingers crossed it will be for all the right reasons.

Back-rower Faumuina, 27, is among a crop of infamous big hitters from Down Under looking to rebuild careers and lives in the UK this year.

Another is Aussie Greg Bird, whose recruitment by Bradford was slammed as "an embarrassment to Super League" by Leeds supremo Gary Hetherington. The competition "shouldn't be a dumping ground for other people's problems", he added.

But Bulls chairman Peter Hood hit back by insisting signing a player of Bird's class "will help get more people wanting to come and watch the Super League".

For Faumuina, a former New Zealand international, it is third time lucky to prove himself in Super League.

He appeared just three times for Hull FC in 2005 and walked out of Harlequins in 2007 without playing a match, despite signing a threeyear deal.

The ex-North Queensland Cowboys forward has been arrested and fined for drinkrelated problems, but sees Castleford as a new start.

"I didn't come here for holiday, I'm here to show what I can do," said Faumuina, one of 10 new signings by last season's wooden spoonists.

"Hopefully, I can prove myself and I see myself staying at Castleford for a long time.

A lot of the English supporters haven't heard of me. I'll make sure they know my name by the end of the season.

"People take it the wrong way when they see Kiwi and Aussie players coming here.

A lot of players are stuck in a rut, sick of playing in the NRL. They want a lifestyle change. That's the main reason they come here."

On joining Castleford rather than Quins he added: "The club's in Yorkshire, I know a lot of Kiwi players round here. I also have family here as my cousin is married to (Bradford's) David Solomona."

He has not played since August, but is expected to feature in Sunday's friendly against Wakefield.

Castleford team-mate Ryan McGoldrick has seen enough in training to tip Faumuina to make a major impact.

He said: "It's been well documented about the dramas he's had in the past.

But if he gets his head on right he could be one of the best players in the comp."

I didn't come here for a holiday. I'm here to show what I can do - SIONEFAUMUINA